By Peace Udugba.
In recent years, drug and substance abuse has emerged as one of the most pressing social problems confronting Nigeria. Once considered a hidden issue, the alarming rate at which young Nigerians are falling victim to drug use has made it impossible to ignore. From bustling cities to remote villages, the scourge is evident — with many young people turning to dangerous substances for escape, thrill, or peer acceptance. As the problem deepens, the pressing question remains: is there hope for our youths?
This troubling trend prompted the pastorate of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Zion Chapel, Lagos Province 57, Oregun, Ikeja, to bring together medical experts during its annual Health Talk to address the crisis and propose solutions.
Themed “Drugs and Substance Abuse: Any Hope for the Youth?”, the event was both informative and educative. The panel of discussants included:
– Dr. Charles Davies, Medical Director/Chief Surgeon, Brafus Specialist Hospital, Lagos
– Dr. Wale Ige, retired Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA
– Dr. Henrietta Igbokwe, Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
– Dr. Yinka Anifowoshe, Anaesthetist, General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos
Together, they shared insights and practical recommendations for curbing the rising tide of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
In their submissions, the panelists unanimously agreed that drug abuse in Nigeria has reached epidemic proportions. The most commonly abused substances include cannabis, codeine-based cough syrups, tramadol, rohypnol, cocaine, and methamphetamine (“ice”). These drugs are often inexpensive, readily accessible, and distributed through informal networks, making them particularly attractive to impressionable youths. Factors such as social media influence, peer pressure, unemployment, poverty, and inadequate parental supervision further exacerbate the crisis.
Dr. Charles Davies, who moderated the discussion, referenced the *2018 National Drug Use Survey* conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Nigerian government, which revealed that about 15% of Nigeria’s population aged 15–64 were drug users — a figure nearly three times the global average. Alarmingly, a significant portion of these users are young people, some barely in their early teens.
Dr. Igbokwe described a drug as any substance that, when inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, absorbed, or used in any other form, causes a physiological change in the body and can also affect the mind. She highlighted several key reasons why Nigerian youths are increasingly turning to drugs.
Chief among them is peer pressure and societal influence. Many young people are introduced to drugs by friends or social groups. In a bid to “belong” or appear “cool,” they experiment with substances without understanding the long-term consequences.
She also pointed to Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, particularly among graduates, which drives many youths into a state of hopelessness. For them, drugs become a form of temporary escape from the harsh realities of poverty and lack of opportunities.
Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and trauma often go unaddressed in Nigerian society. Rather than seek professional help, many young people turn to self-medication with dangerous substances, which only worsen their conditions.
The panel also decried the easy availability and accessibility of illicit drugs on the streets.
Despite government bans, substances like codeine, tramadol and others are still widely sold by unlicensed vendors, Porous borders and weak law enforcement continue to fuel the illicit drug trade.
They further noted the influence of culture and entertainment, stating that certain songs, movies, and online content glamorize drug use — portraying it as a symbol of wealth, courage, or rebellion. For impressionable youths, this creates a distorted sense of normalcy and acceptance of drug culture.
The medical experts also warned that the impact of drug abuse on Nigerian youths could be devastating, Health-wise, prolonged substance abuse can lead to brain damage, organ failure, mental illness, and, in many cases, death.
They emphasized that drug use is strongly linked to crime and violence, including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, banditry, and domestic violence.
Many students addicted to drugs end up dropping out of school, thereby jeopardizing their academic and career futures.
The ripple effects extend to families, as parents and siblings suffer emotionally and financially* when a loved one becomes addicted. On a broader scale, national development is threatened—a generation enslaved by drugs undermines the country’s *workforce, security, and productivity.
However, the experts affirmed that there is hope—but only if Nigerians act decisively and collectively.
Among the solutions proffered:
-Parents must be more present and observant, monitoring their children’s peer groups and offering emotional support.
Schools should incorporate drug education into their curricula to empower students with the knowledge needed to make informed choices.
Secondly, the government must be proactive in job creation and economic empowerment, by providing jobs, vocational training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, youth idleness and hopelessness—which often drive drug abuse—can be drastically reduced.
The experts also stressed the need for increased investment in mental health care, particularly counseling services in schools, workplaces and communities, to help young people manage stress and emotional challenges without resorting to drugs.
They urged governments at all levels to *tighten drug control systems, close loopholes enabling the circulation of illicit substances, and strengthen border controls and NDLEA operations, including imposing strict sanctions against corrupt officials
Additionally, young people must be actively engaged in the fight through music, art, and social media to promote anti-drug messages and healthier lifestyles.
Rather than criminalizing drug users, the experts advocated for a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, noting that every youth deserves a second chance,
Faith-based and community efforts were also emphasized, with churches, mosques, and community leaders playing a vital role in preaching against drug abuse and offering moral guidance.
The pastor of Zion Chapel, Godfrey Iluobe, who has convened the annual health talk for nine consecutive years, said he was inspired by a desire to care for the total well-being of humanity.
As Christians, we sometimes focus only on the spiritual, neglecting the body that hosts our spirit and soul. Later, many discover that their neglect of health becomes a hindrance to fulfilling God’s purpose, he said.
That’s why we began this campaign—for people to be more mindful of their health. Over the years, the vision has grown, and we thank God for the testimonies. This is our ninth year, unbroken.
As part of the programme, recently converted area boys now known as *“Jesus Boys were prayed for. According to Iluobe… [You may complete this part if there’s more detail.
“These are a set of boys with a future, but the enemy tried to derail their destinies through hard drugs and smoking. They are popularly known as the ‘Oregun boys’—young men who live across the road from the church,” said Pastor Iluobe.
He explained that the *youth arm of the church initiated a special outreach project, where every Sunday, they go out to minister to these boys. “They also prepare food for them weekly as a way to show love and build trust.
This health talk program provided an opportunity to have them come into the church environment, where the issue of drug and substance abuse could be addressed directly. We’ve been praying for them consistently and *offering welfare packages to attract and support them.
“We make it clear to them that they belong—that we are one family, and that God has brought us here for them. They’ve even made a promise to make this church their own. And we trust that the Lord will mold them into who *they were created to be —fulfilling both their own dreams and God’s divine purposeiî for their lives.
